B.J. Turner; Brought ‘Pantos’ to Southland

B. J. Turner, 44, actor who introduced bawdy British “panto,” musical versions of fairy tales, to Southern California audiences. After beginning his career on the London stage as Will Parker in “Oklahoma,” Turner toured Europe with “Hair” and other shows, and eventually made his way to Los Angeles. He won a Drama-Logue Award for his portrayal of Lady Bracknell in “The Importance of Being Earnest” and an LA Weekly Award for his panto of “Rumpelstiltskin.” Turner produced well-received pantos at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Theatre Exchange and the Riverside Civic Light Opera. The Times cited him as “a wildly funny actor” playing Scrooge and other parts in his version of “A Christmas Carol” for the Pasadena Playhouse in 1988. Turner also appeared on television, in such series as “Cheers,” “Night Court” and “Highway to Heaven,” and the soap operas “General Hospital,” “The Young and Restless,” and “Days of Our Lives.” On Sunday in Toluca Lake of AIDS.